If the Calgary Flames want to make a deep run in the Stanley Cup playoffs, they’ll have to meet — and beat — at least one of those two high-profile contenders.

The trick — or so it would appear — is to steer clear of both of those teams in the post-season, eliminating what many would view as a killer first two rounds of playoff puck.

Fortunately, the Flames have put themselves in prime position to control their own destiny on that front. By winning the NHL’s Pacific Division, they would draw a wildcard team instead of either the Sharks or the Golden Knights in the first round, forcing those two crews to battle it out against each other and avoiding back-to-back series action against one and then the other.

Otherwise, it’s a daunting playoff gauntlet that would await them.

No?

“Well … the team that gets in as the wildcard is going to be playing really well and playing really hard,” argued Flames leader Mark Giordano, throwing solid rationale behind his words.

“I’ve never been a fan of trying to pick and choose who you want to playoffs because the league’s so tight. The team that’s usually in the wildcard is feeling good and playing well. And if you want to go all the way, you’re going to have to go through a lot of great teams.”

True enough, Captain.

But in the same breath, Giordano knows full well the meaning of finishing tops in the Pacific and — moreover — the Western Conference.

Home-ice advantage is the big prize, of course.

And that becomes especially crucial when taking on the Sharks and their talent-laden squad in a prolonged series.

The same can be said — even moreso perhaps — of matching up against the Golden Knights, who are heralded right there at the top among teams who get a charge out of competing on home ice, but that’s more based on last year’s run of startling success since both the Flames (23-7-5) and the Sharks (23-6-5) sport better records in their own barns than the Knights (21-10-4) this season.

“You always want to be as high as possible, but either (finishing first or second place) works,” said Flames winger Elias Lindholm. “We’re here to win every game, but if you finish second or first, it doesn’t really matter. But you always prepare to win more games.

“Vegas is a good team and had a good playoff last year and made some changes this year and is a good team again,” Lindholm continued. “San Jose is a good team, too.”

Friday’s 5-1 victory over the New York Rangers at the Saddledome moved the Flames back on top of the Sharks in the division race, with both squads having played the same amount of games. The Flames (44-20-7) now boast 95 points — one ahead of the Sharks (43-20-8) and well ahead of the Knights (39-27-5), who have 83 after Friday night’s road 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars.

“The points are important for us,” Giordano said. “We want to keep moving up — we want to get ahead of San Jose in the standings if we can. And more importantly with (11) games left, we want to get our game to the highest point before the playoffs start.”

Somewhat lost in all this season’s success is the Flames have a chance to clinch a playoff spot with Saturday’s tangle with the host Winnipeg Jets (5 p.m., Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan).

A win or an overtime loss puts them in the post-season for only the third time in 10 seasons.

And putting an ‘X’ beside their name in the NHL standings — denoting a clinch of a post-season spot — during those two previous playoff years was never decided this early in the regular season.

“When you get that ‘X’, it’s a good feeling,” Giordano said. “It’s definitely something we want as soon as we can. And then from there, you move on. We know we’re in a good spot. But we’re in a good battle here with San Jose for that No. 1 spot, and I think that our goal should be to win the division.

“It’s a nice thing to have. The goal, obviously, every year is to get in.”

For sure, it’s an accomplishment that can’t be overlooked in what’s been a sparkling campaign for the Calgary club.

Especially for guys such as the captain who’ve been around through a run of lean years. Something much of the Flames faithful can identify with, as well.

“We’ve been in the spot before where we’re trying to chase a playoff spot, and it’s tough,” Giordano said. “It’s definitely a different feeling. When you’re in that spot, every time you lose, it feels a lot worse than it really is.

“But we’re having a good year this year, and our goal — as the year has gone on — has become more than that. so we’ve got to take advantage of that. And a lot of good things come with that to set yourself up — home-ice advantage being the big one. Right?”

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